Category: Environment

The INC-5 meeting is scheduled to run from November 25 to December 1, 2024, at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center.

In a statement ahead of the gathering, Rwanda, as co-chair of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, reaffirmed its commitment to championing a comprehensive treaty that addresses the root causes of plastic pollution and emphasizes accountability.

“Rwanda is calling for ambitious, just, and enforceable global rules to end plastic pollution and safeguard the health of people and the planet,” reads the statement in part.

Rwanda seeks a treaty that encompasses the entire lifecycle of plastic, setting global targets to reduce plastic production to sustainable levels, promoting sustainable alternatives, and fostering vibrant circular economies. The country also stresses the need for legally binding commitments, robust monitoring mechanisms, and accountability frameworks to ensure effective implementation and meaningful progress.

Rwanda is advocating for a start-and-strengthen approach, which would allow for increasing ambition over time. The treaty must also protect and empower the most affected communities while ensuring a just transition for waste pickers and informal workers who play vital roles in managing plastic waste.

Additionally, Rwanda is proposing the establishment of a dedicated Multilateral Fund capable of supporting developing countries in meeting their treaty obligations. This would be complemented by mechanisms to attract broad-based financing to address plastic pollution comprehensively.

In the negotiations, Rwanda aims to leverage its 2008 ban on plastics to inspire global action in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainability.

“For two decades, Rwanda has demonstrated its commitment to tackling plastic pollution through bold national policies and regional leadership. We are now taking these home-grown innovations to the world,” said Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, Rwanda’s Minister of Environment.

“At INC-5, we call on the global community to unite behind an ambitious and enforceable treaty that delivers a future free from plastic pollution,” she added.

The ban which prohibits the production, sale, and use of non-biodegradable plastic bags and packaging in Rwanda has had significant positive impacts, including cleaner streets, a boost in tourism, and enhanced environmental protection. Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, has earned recognition as the cleanest city in Africa as a result of these measures.

As the INC-5 negotiations mark the final stage of the treaty development process, Rwanda is urging all stakeholders to seize this historic moment to secure an agreement that safeguards humanity and nature.

Representatives of the growing group of 14 countries presented the course ahead in the effort to secure a negotiating mandate for a treaty.

According to Hon. Prof. Biman Prasad, the Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji. the idea of the Fossil Fuel Treaty is gaining momentum amongst governments, businesses, civil society and his country is carrying it forward to significant advances in 2025.

“The Treaty, as we see it, is a tool to address climate injustice and drive the shift needed to achieve a much needed transition to clean energy, while equitably managing the phase out of harmful fossil fuels globally,” he said.

He asserted that this proposal for a legally binding mechanism presents an opportunity to hold wealthier nations accountable for their role in the crisis while providing vulnerable nations like with the financial and technical support needed for the transition.

The time has come to respond with greater urgency, greater focus, greater solidarity. The Fossil Fuel Treaty is a key part of that response.”

Susana Muhamad, the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia acknowledged that the effort to develop a Fossil Fuel Treaty that will help achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and complement the UNFCCC process is moving to the next stage in 2025.

“As we agreed during the meeting of the ministers who are part of this initiative, we will pursue resolutions at the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Environmental Assembly to push forward the Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal,” she said.

“We have discussed how the treaty will address the potential implications of phasing out fossil fuels and the economic requirements of moving forward. We hope that in the next stage we will be getting the commitments of other countries keen on participating in this process,” she added.

In the same spirit, Dr. Maria Neira, Director of the Department of Public Health and Environment at the World Health Organization (WHO) said that the climate crisis is a health crisis as well affecting global health in a very serious and dramatic way.
“The combustion of fossil fuels overlaps 75% with the causes of air pollution. We will host the 2nd Conference on Air Pollution & Health, in Cartagena, Colombia in March 2025. It will be a forum where we will strengthen conversations around the Treaty, and where we will be looking at the transition and how we can help subsidize energy innovation,” she noted.

At COP29, a cross-section of Ministers and senior government officials from the endorsing nations from the Pacific, Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as observers from other countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Europe who are interested in advancing the proposal, gathered to discuss key priorities for the Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal in 2025.

The ministers agreed to explore pathways to secure a negotiating mandate for a treaty through a forum such as the UN General Assembly (UNGA) or a standalone negotiating process, and to explore a resolution on fossil fuels in the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA).

In addition to the efforts toward a complementary treaty, the Ministers also agreed they will work together in Baku to get a strong outcome at COP29 on the New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance and the Just Transition Working Program.

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative is spurring international cooperation to end new development of fossil fuels, phase out existing production within the agreed climate limit of 1.5°C and develop plans to support workers, communities and countries dependent on fossil fuels to create secure and healthy livelihoods.

COP29 ends on Friday November 22, 2024.

The project was formally launched on November 1, 2024, at Mukono Health Center in Gicumbi District, which serves residents from four villages in three nearby sectors.

During the week between October 28 and November 1, 2024, over 3,000 trees were planted across 24 health centers and at Byumba Hospital. At Mukono Health Center alone, where the official launch was held, more than 200 fruit trees were planted.

RNMU leadership stated that this tree-planting effort is the first phase of a larger initiative that will eventually extend to all districts, aiming to plant nearly a million trees over the next five years.

RNMU President, André Gitembagara, highlighted that the tree-planting exercise aligns with a mission to enhance quality healthcare based on environmental sustainability.

“The health we help people maintain wouldn’t be possible without a protected environment. We first educated nurses and midwives, both students and professionals, on the importance of environmental care so they could actively participate in planting these trees,” he explained.

He further highlighted the choice to prioritize fruit-bearing trees: “We focus on fruit-bearing trees because we believe that patients and visitors at health centers benefit from these trees. When they see well-kept trees bearing fruit, they have access to fresh produce and even shaded areas, which adds value to their experience.”

Mukono Health Center’s Director, Ennock Gatwaza, noted that the center had a large open area with limited tree cover. He expressed optimism that the newly planted trees would benefit visitors, especially those with poor nutrition.

“Patients visiting here can pick fruit from these trees. For example, children suffering from malnutrition can enjoy avocados, which provide essential nutrients like natural sugars needed for children under five,” he said.

Jean Marie Vianney Mbonyintwari, Gicumbi’s Deputy Mayor in charge of Social Welfare, said that planting fruit trees in the district is expected to yield substantial benefits in fighting malnutrition and stunting in children.

“Planting fruit trees is a significant step in combating child stunting, which currently affects 19.2% of children here. We aim to plant at least three trees per household and educate residents on caring for them, as this will benefit them directly,” he explained.

“We greatly appreciate the contribution of partners like RNMU, who provided 3,000 trees and fertilizer, while we continue to play our part,” Mbonyintwari added.

He reiterated that Gicumbi District aims to eradicate child stunting entirely, and he believes that fruit trees will play a crucial role in this endeavor.

Covering an area of 6,736 hectares across the Gicumbi and Burera districts, Rugezi Marsh is one of Rwanda’s most vital wetlands. It serves as a crucial water source for the Burera and Ruhondo lakes, which supply water to the Ntaruka and Mukungwa hydroelectric power stations.

In 2006, Rugezi Marsh was designated a Ramsar site, joining a global network of wetlands protected under the Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971 and enacted in 1975.

Despite its ecological importance, the species inhabiting the marsh were not fully documented until the recent research initiative launched in 2023.

Among the new discoveries are two species recorded in Rwanda for the first time: a butterfly known as the Hydrilla Leafcutter Moth and climbing plant species, Zehneria tridactyla.

Researchers documented 197 plant species, including 109 previously unrecorded in the marsh. They also identified 127 bird species, 28 of which are new to the region.

The marsh hosts an array of aquatic life, with 82 newly identified invertebrate species, 14 amphibian species (eight of which are newly discovered), and 13 reptile species (10 of them previously unknown).

Regarding mammals, 53 species were recorded, including 22 species of bats. Three fish species were also found, one of which is newly discovered. The study also unveiled 149 species of arthropods, including 49 butterfly species, all previously undocumented in the Rugezi Marsh.

Laure Rurangwa, a lead researcher with expertise in bird species, emphasized the significance of this thorough biodiversity study.

She pointed out that it marks the first time such an in-depth investigation has been carried out in Rugezi, stressing the need for ongoing research to better understand the genetic composition of these species, which will contribute to global conservation initiatives.

Rurangwa also mentioned the possibility of discovering species entirely new to science as genetic analysis continues.

Dr. Olivier Nsengimana, Executive Director of the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA), underscored the importance of this research, particularly the conservation of cranes, a species of special concern in Rwanda.

The Rugezi Marsh is home to nearly a quarter of the country’s crane population, which has grown from 487 in 2007 to 1,293 today, thanks to continued conservation efforts.

Faustin Munyazikwiye, Deputy Director General of the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), highlighted the critical role the marsh plays in Rwanda’s environment and energy sectors.

He recalled the 2001-2002 power shortage caused by a decrease in water levels at the Ntaruka power station, later traced back to the drying of Rugezi Marsh.

Restoration efforts were successfully completed by 2010, and today the marsh is thriving, with ongoing collaboration between authorities and local communities to protect the area and provide sustainable livelihoods for those living nearby.

The funding is part of a $61 million investment approved by the governing board of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) under the Nature, People, and Climate (NPC) investment program to support climate change interventions in the Dominican Republic and Rwanda.

The CIF NPC program, launched in June 2022, deploys nature-based solutions that acknowledge linkages among land use, climate-change mitigation and adaptation, and the improvement of the sources of livelihoods of rural communities and Indigenous people.

CIF said the funding will help address systemic challenges holding back vulnerable populations in the Kaduha-Gitwe corridor and also support the launch of the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Bond, an innovative capital market structured bond to promote biodiversity, including endangered chimpanzees. Both projects are implemented by the World Bank and co-financing of up to $283 million is expected.

In the Kaduha-Gitwe corridor, the plan will prioritize the restoration of degraded land and the sustainable management of forests and wetlands. It encompasses five sectors in Nyamagabe District, Southern Province: Kaduha, Kibumbwe, Mbazi, Mugano, and Musange; three sectors in Ruhango District: Bweramana, Kinihira, and Kabagari; and two sectors in Nyanza District: Nyagisozi and Cyabakamyi.

CIF’s $370 million Nature, People, and Climate investment program supports the development of nature-based solutions in low- and middle-income countries, ranging from small island developing states to sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. It funds initiatives that recognize the interdependence of land use, climate-change mitigation and adaptation, and the improvement of livelihoods for rural communities and Indigenous peoples.

While announcing the funding, Tariye Gbadegesin, the CEO of Climate Investment Funds, termed the climate ambitions of both Rwanda and the Dominican Republic as “impressive”.

“Their programs will bring co-benefits such as improved biodiversity and enhanced livelihoods, with a specific focus on vulnerable groups such as Indigenous peoples and local communities,” the CEO stated.

Dr Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, the Minister of Environment, welcomed the funding, saying Rwanda’s participation in the CIF NPC program is instrumental in securing a resilient and prosperous future for all Rwandans.

“We are immensely proud that Rwanda has been selected for the CIF Nature, People and Climate (NPC) program. This achievement is a testament to the robust collaboration among our diverse stakeholders, including Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), government agencies, district authorities, civil society, and the private sector.

“Together, we have laid a solid foundation that will not only enhance the livelihoods of our vulnerable communities but also foster innovation in conservation efforts, exemplified by the introduction of a wildlife conservation bond. This initiative promises to enhance climate adaptation and create sustainable economic opportunities while protecting our rich biodiversity, ensuring a resilient and thriving future for all Rwandans,” the minister stated.

Normally, the average rainfall in the first half of May ranges between 30 and 100 millimeters.

This expected rainfall, according to the agency, will result from a convergence of breezes in the region where Rwanda is located, and the topography of each area.

Rainfall between 160 and 200 millimeters is the highest forecasted in many areas of districts including Musanze, Ngororero, and Rutsiro. Rainfall ranging from 140 to 160 millimeters is expected in some parts of the Western Province and in central areas towards the western parts of districts such as Gakenke and Nyamagabe.

In the City of Kigali, rainfall is expected to be between 60 and 140 millimeters.

Due to the heavy rain that has been falling recently and the already saturated soil, from May 1 to May 4, consequences of heavy and continuous rainfall are expected, including flooding, landslides, and soil erosion in steep areas that are not protected against erosion. These effects could particularly impact the Northern, Southern, and Western Provinces.

The Ministry of Emergency Management recently reported that in a conducted survey, 326 locations were identified as vulnerable to disasters related to rainfall, particularly the impending rainfall during this period.

The Ministry has urged residents in high-risk areas to relocate early to avoid the consequences of these disasters.

The recognition by Environmental Finance follows BRD’s inaugural Rwf30 billion bond issue in September 2023, in partnership with the World Bank. The bond which was listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange was issued in a bid to mobilise private capital and to diversify its funding sources, which aligns with Rwanda’s sustainable development goals.

The Development Bank of Rwanda’s inaugural bond’s structure was support by three Key Performance Indicators which include increasing environmental, social and governance compliance in the financial sector, increasing loans to women-led SMEs from 15% to 30% of BRD’s portfolio, and financing affordable housing by 2028.

Speaking at the launch of BRD’s inaugural bond in September 2023, CEO Kampeta Sayinzoga pointed out that by issuing the first ever bond, BRD is effectively diversifying its source of development finance by tapping into the local capital market for the first time which will ensure that BRD is no longer solely reliant on international credit lines thereby further sophisticating its resource mobilization efforts.

“We are also happy to report that the proceedings of Sustainability Linked Bond are currently being utilized as intended.”

As of January 2024, it was confirmed that Rw15 billion of the Rwf 30 billion would be allocated to Kigali bus operators in a bid to curb the challenges being faced by Kigali’s public transportation system.

The Environmental Finance Sustainable Debt Awards celebrate the leading green, social, sustainable, and sustainability-linked bond and loan deals and recognize market innovations. The Awards also seek to recognize those that excel, innovate, and contribute to the successful development of the market.

The contest, aimed at engaging youth in water conservation efforts, targets students enrolled in programs related to water resources, climate, urban planning, and geography.

Speaking during the launch of the competition on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, Bernard Musana Segatagara, the Head of the Knowledge and Forecasting Hub Department at RWB, said that participants will be required to develop models aimed at solving common issues in water management, including floods and conservation.

“It will be mainly a rainfall-runoff model. That means the relationship between the rainfall that falls and the water that we have in the river, which is governed by many things, including evapotranspiration, the topography, the form of the river, geometry of the catchment, and many other factors,” Segatara said, adding that the participants will use existing data to guide them in designing the models.

The participants are required to use the HEC-HMS or SWAT model to produce a well-calibrated hydrological model for any of the four Level 2.5 Rwandan sub-catchments, including Kamiranzovu, Sebeya Pfunda, Sebeya Bihongoro, and Mbirurume.

Notably, HEC-HMS and SWAT are hydrological models that simulate water movement through watersheds, also known as drainage basins.

Interested candidates have until April 19, 2024, to register. Based on the submissions, RWB will select students who will participate in the challenge. Selected students will have until June to submit model files and documentation to pave the way for review and selection of winners.

Seven finalists will pocket a total of RWF3.8 million in prize money, with the first winner walking away with RWF1 million. The first and second runners-up will receive RWF800,000 and RWF600,000 respectively.

The remaining candidates will be awarded RWF500,000 (4th place), RWF400,000 (5th place), RWF300,000 (6th place), and RWF200,000 (7th place).

Besides the prize money, all the participants will benefit from networking and capacity building.

Gisele Igiraneza and Karekezi Jean Pierre are among the students from the University of Rwanda who have expressed interest in participating in the contest.

The two final-year Civil Engineering students attended the launch of the hackathon in the company of their lecturers, including Professor Garba Wali Umara.

“Participating in the hackathon will help me put the skills learned in class into real life and solve problems in water management. For example, in May last year, in Rubavu District, there were floods in Sebeya River which killed many people and destroyed property. The models will help prevent such disasters,” said Pierre, who also doubles up as Coordinator of the Young Water Professionals Chapter of the University of Rwanda.”

RWB is running the contest in partnership with Arcos Network, an international organization focusing on conservation and community development.

Jacqueline Ntukamazina, the Director, Development, Operations and External Relations at Arcos Network, said the contest will empower local youth in terms of water resources management and problems affecting natural resources, and how communities can be more engaged in water conservation.

She highlighted that the main challenges affecting local natural resources include pollution, catchment degradation causing sedimentation, and biodiversity losses.